O anúncio foi feito no Instagram por Win Butler, vocalista e guitarrista do grupo Canadiense, na passada segunda feira, dia 13 de Abril.

Foi à moda antiga que os Arcade Fire anunciaram a novidade. São três páginas de uma carta, escrita por Win Butler, onde o vocalista confessa que a banda aproveitou o tempo de isolamento para preparar o sucessor de “Everything Now”, lançado em julho de 2017.

Na carta, Butler refere que o processo de escrita se intensificou e revela que, antes da pandemia começar, o grupo preparava-se para entrar em estúdio e dar início às gravações do novo disco.

Por agora, o músico adianta o título de uma das novas canções – “Age of Anxiety” – o resultado do contexto atual de pandemia e isolamento social, provocado pelo surto do novo Covid-19. “Andávamos a explorar muitos temas líricos e musicais assustadoramente relacionados com aquilo que se passa hoje em dia”, escreveu Win Butler.

O músico não deixa de expressar a esperança e a força que se tem vivido nestes últimos tempos. Butler reforça ainda o poder da música em tempos de pandemia, e acredita que “ainda que esta crise altere ou destrua certos aspetos da indústria musical, creio que só fortalecerá a música enquanto arte. Nunca a sentimos tão essencial, espiritual e insubstituível. É uma igreja que vive no ar, entre a fonte e os vossos ouvidos”.

Criados em 2001, a banda é composta por Régine Chassagne, Howard Bilerman, Sarah Neufeld, Jeremy Gara, William Butler, Timothy Kingsbury, Win Butler e Richard Reed Parry.

Foi em 2005 que o grupo se estreou em Portugal, no Festival Paredes de Coura. Desde então, e sempre acarinhados pelo caloroso público português, já passaram por várias salas nacionais, num registo mais intimista. 2018 marca a última atuação de Arcade Fire, em Portugal, no Festival Paredes de Coura.

Ainda não há título nem data prevista para o lançamento do novo disco. Para já, os Arcade Fire descansam os fãs com um miminho deixado nas redes sociais.

Lê aqui a carta completa:

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Post 1/3 April 13,2020 To the wonderful fans of @arcadefire ,

First of all, I’m sorry if at any time, I have taken for granted the incredible privilege it has been to perform for you and have you engage and listen to our music.

On the eve of my 40th birthday, I find myself reflecting on my last big birthday; turning 30 (both excellent times to reflect). We were in Austin completing vocals and finishing touches on “The Suburbs”. Will, Spike and I had been intensely working on the script that would become “Scenes from the Suburbs.” Trying to finish a record that was so intensely personal was overwhelming. I didn’t even have the energy to celebrate, but we still went to a little Tex Mex place (definitely my death row cuisine of choice😊) I remember sitting in the fake leather booth, barely able to speak because of mental exhaustion, my true friends scattered all over the world and no where in sight, and thinking “It feels pretty great to be here at 30.” I was doing challenging work, with amazing band mates, making music I felt inspired by and driven to complete.

I’m happy to report that at 40, I’m still pretty much in the same zone!!

A post shared by Win Butler (@djwindows98) on Apr 13, 2020 at 6:56pm PDT

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Post 2/3 @arcadefire Regine and I have been writing for the last couple of years, and the band was a few months into recording new material when COVID-19 hit…We had been exploring a lot of lyrical and musical themes that feel almost eerily related to what is happening now (we actually have a song called Age of Anxiety written a year ago for Christ’s sake – ha ha ). Needless to say, the writing has intensified, and the work is flowing out… It is challenging as ever, and with just as much purpose. Though this crisis may ultimately change or destroy aspects of the music industry, I believe it will only strengthen music as an art form. It has never felt more essential, spiritual and irreplaceable…a church that lives in the air between the source and your ears… I just want you to know, dear reader, that you aren’t forgotten. The world is experiencing incredible suffering and uncertainty. I already know people who have been sick and died, and hope that you and those you love have been spared.

A post shared by Win Butler (@djwindows98) on Apr 13, 2020 at 6:57pm PDT

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Post 3/3 @arcadefire For my part, I’m pouring my heart, soul and all of my precious time into the music and recording. (Not closing the door on doing some online performances, but it feels like many artists have that covered;) But talk to me in August when we are all climbing the walls…consider that a song request Radiohead 😊 ) 
When you listen to the music that’s coming (…eventually…not soon…if you don’t have patience by now, you definitely aren’t reading this), you will know what we were working on under quarantine.

Sending love and light! Take care of yourselves, friends, family and neighborhood. 
With unending love and respect,

Your pal, Win P.S. my fucking hands hurt, don’t remember how I used to do this

A post shared by Win Butler (@djwindows98) on Apr 13, 2020 at 7:00pm PDT